Classes

The enticing call of adventure sounds irresistible to many beings, but few dare to answer it with roaring affirmation and reckless abandon. True Adventurers know neither home nor hesitation and are driven by wanderlust, legends of a lost past or the burning desire to leave a lasting legacy behind.

They tend to be compulsive thrillseekers, regularly put in harm’s way by their own curiosity. Although the prospect of glory or treasure might cloud their judgment from time to time, they escape death and danger through a combination of luck, wit and well-earned experience.

The best Adventurers not only live to tell their tale – they gain a variety of skills and valuable knowledge in the process, making them a jack of all trades but a master of none.

While numerous beings fall victim to discontent, allowing it to halt their momentum and dampen the spirit, Artificers manage to downright thrive on it. Combined with an insatiable curiosity and overflowing ingenuity, they refuse to accept the status quo and its bothersome limitations. Thus, Artificers dare to dream big: They strive to achieve what has rarely been seen or done before. By applying expert knowledge or magical infusions, they enhance and empower items or machines in a myriad of ways, even under the tremendous pressure of battle. Rock solid reliability, immaculate craftsmanship and the chance to surprise enemies with a sophisticated approach out of left field make Artificers a meaningful addition to any army.

Victory loves preparation – and Assassins will not allow happenstance to decide over the outcome of their deadly assignment. If necessary, they might spend weeks to gather intel, survey and stalk their target; always determined to conjure the perfect plan. They pride themselves on their professionalism and never let emotion get in the way of precise execution. Even though they kill for honour, greed, creed, country or kingdom, hitmen are not without morals, as needless violence and collateral damage are usually frowned upon. An Assassin‘s skillset is comprised of cunning deceptions, ghost-like infiltration tactics and intense awareness of their surroundings. No one is to know whether they silently emerge from the shadows to deliver a final message, strike from a faraway distance or arrange matters to „make it look like an accident“.

Rhyme, melody and music evoke emotion – irrespective of world or dimension. Bards know full well about the power of their euphonic art and are adept at proving it in many ways, as Legions march off to battle by the sound of their thunderous wardrums before being chanted into a ruthless blood frenzy. While some Bards put their craft in the service of aggression and warfare, others aim to heal, preserve and enhance the minds of those inclined to listen carefully. They sing and versify to keep legends alive, denounce injustice or warn of impending danger. Blessed by the gift to stir the soul with soothing songs, they take away the fear of today and spark hope for tomorrow.

Even though helpful fellowship might be found amongst themselves, Beast Masters achieve true brotherhood solely in company of those deemed monstrous by most. They fade out the fear of death to tame the wildest of beasts, developing a deep understanding of their peculiarities. Winning them over through patience and compassion, they form an unbreakable bond that transcends language, species or even worlds. In contrast, other Beast Masters prefer the stick to the carrot and force ferocious beings into servitude, their whip firmly in hand. From an enemies’ perspective, the difference in approach is hardly relevant: A single well-trained beast might be able to ravage numerous smaller units at the single sound of a whistle, all for the sake of pleasing its master.

Faith and devotion may allow religious authorities to form a strong connection with their chosen deity. Clerics, however, truly understand how to channel and wield their powers in a variety of magnificent ways: Casts, charms, spells and incantations are used to heal and inspire fellow warriors in the heat of battle, hinder advancing foes or spread terror and fear amongst enemy ranks. Still, the versatility of Clerics is not limited to the divine magic at hand, as most of them make decent use of their mace or staff if need be. While deep-rooted belief is inarguably the source of their sacred might, some Clerics walk the fine line between dedication and overeagerness in their fight against infidels and heretics – a boon with an expiry date.

Armed combat is primal in nature and shaped by seemingly simple choices – life or death, victory or defeat. Yet the complexity of war all too often eludes those that never bore a Commander‘s responsibility: They define appropriate tactics, devise well thought out strategies and put the pieces of battle into place; often long before leading their legions, armies or tribes into open conflict. Great Commanders exude authority, loyalty and pride while also being able to take ownership of failure. As they adapt and refuse to deflect blame unto others, Commanders live by example to turn their soldiers into the best possible versions of themselves. With an unstoppable force at their disposal, they carry their responsibilities as a batch of honor rather than a burden.

Empathy for an enemy’s plight, sincere respect or a deep understanding of its customs make it that much harder to strike with conviction. Considering this, a devoted willingness to divide others into good and evil without much leeway might just be a Crusaders’ greatest strength: Often born or bred into deeply religious environments, they view themselves as undisputed heroes of their own story, functioning as protectors of everything deemed holy and pristine. Therefore, currents and cultures contrary to the beliefs Crusaders swore to champion exist under the constant threat of experiencing their uncompromising nature first-hand. On the battlefield, Crusaders are usually well-versed warriors who inspire lower ranks through ironclad discipline, thorough organisation and an exalted aura.

Druids master the vigors of nature without exerting force. Their deep connection to the spirits of living creatures allows them to enhance and receive the abilities of any natural being, making them fairly unpredictable for other combatants. A Druid gives as he gets, acting as a protector of the very earth he steps on. At the same time, he is commonly assisted by the creatures that live on it. More than a few Druids prefer to roam their worlds as therianthropes; some even define their animal form as their true self. Wisdom equals power for a Druid – and although their physique seldomly seems frightening at first glance, they are greatly feared for the manifold secrets of nature they might bear with them.

Whether they face their opponents armor-clad and heavily armed or with nothing but bare hands and a burning heart: Spirited Fighters avert defeat under any circumstance. To this end, they display martial prowess, technical ability or sheer strength, although their dominance does not necessarily depend on physical superiority alone. Elite Fighters read their enemies’ every movement and outsmart them by detecting well-hidden weak spots. They do not simply understand the art of fighting, they feel it with every fiber of their bodies; battered but most certainly not broken. Some submit to a code of conduct to compete for riches, adulation or masters, while others would only ever fight out of personal conviction. Whatever makes them take up the challenge: Only in the face of death do they truly feel alive.

They roam their native terrain with unmatched elegance, every step carefully considered. In pursuit of their prey, Hunters pepper their stomping grounds with ingenious traps and exhibit unfailing patience, often counting on a trusted companion during their lengthy treks. Although they can not deny the sheer thrill of the hunt, most of them take little to no pleasure in the act of killing itself. There are exceptions to the rule, but Hunters commonly respect their prey and despise reckless bloodshed or avoidable suffering. Ironically, these traits make them even more proficient at ending a life, as their strikes are methodical, swift and precise – whether they bring down big game from a safe distance or silently stalk legendary beasts, proving Hunters to be wicked predators in their own right.

Noble defenders of the weak, paragons of virtue and a steadfast opposition to evil and injustice: Knights are held to high standards and expected to serve king, queen, country, church or oath with unconditional loyalty. Intensive training taught them to use sword, shield, lance or other weapons effectively, especially when fighting shoulder to shoulder with their fellow Knights. Some are born into knighthood, others earn the privilege through exemplary service – and a few fall short of its lofty expectations. Unable to cope with the pressure of chivalry or the cruel randomness of warfare, their once proud careers fall prey to the dark. No longer may these Knights swing their steel to protect rulers, but to dethrone them in the most conclusive of manners.

Independent, unaffected, disavowed: In most cases, promises of material riches and other rewards far outweigh the personal beliefs or political interests of Mercenaries. Although some might subscribe to a certain codex, only picking assignments aligning with their morals, most of them do not shy away from doing the ‘wrong’ thing for the right price. They rely on a broadly based skillset, often obtained during their long gone days as Hunters, Knights or Adventurers and honed through a variety of client requirements. Mercenaries are frequently recruited to perform dubious deeds for those who wish to remain in the dark, keeping their own hands clean to the public. Contractees know Mercenaries to handle their unfavourable secrets discreetly, as a chatty reputation could be detrimental to business – and that might just be all that counts at the end of the day.

Their bodies serve as temple, tool and weapon: Most Monks shun heavy arms or restrictive armor in favor of an even more direct approach to battle, usually relying on exceptionally well-honed martial arts. While some might use stick, staff or sickle to dispatch those daring to disturb their search for spiritual fulfillment, completely unarmed melee combat is widely preferred among Monks. By the values internalized during their formative years in seclusive retreats, they commonly feel responsible for the weak; making a stand whenever injustice and oppression occur. Although intense training, gained wisdom or asceticism contribute to their abilities, Monks are more than ‘just’ skilled: It is their perfect unison with the elements, spiritual forces far beyond magic or even stimulating beverages that sets them apart from other fighters.

While some mortals might find comfort in knowing that death is not necessarily the end, Necromancers will make them think twice all too soon. Relying on spells, rituals, curses or black magic, they show utter disregard for the peace of the dead and bring helpless beings back to ‘life’; mostly for the sole sake of joining their sinister ranks. Nefariously, Necromancers tap into forces others do not even dare to dream of and prefer to send minions into battle in their stead. A single chime of the bell can set off an avalanche of undead flesh, overwhelming outnumbered enemies with ease. Some Necromancers add yet another terrifying aspect to their offense: By pitting foes against recently fallen fellows, they break their resolve long before the final blow – methods that make them feared and ostracized in equal measure.

The honor of calling oneself a Paladin is only bestowed upon the most unblemished of heroes. Those who hold their sworn duty in highest regard, serve noble causes with unwavering strength and take great pride in being principled may take up this prestigious mantle. Paladins view themselves as arbiters of righteousness and order – a self-image with polarizing side effects on their reputation. Typically, their immense willpower is rooted in deep faith, which ignites them with a particular disdain for necromancy or witchcraft. However, they tend to be proficient in magic themselves, as a considerable number of Paladins gained knowledge as Clerics before. While healing powers provide valuable support for fellow warriors, intense martial training and exemplary fortitude prove Paladins to be a formidable force on the frontlines as well.

They rip through seemingly impassable terrain, stalk the oceans or soar through the sky, all while drowning adversaries in a rain of fire: It is easy to mistake the machine itself for a Pilot‘s greatest strength. Incomparable intuition, lightning-fast reflexes and a certain perchant (…or at least a deliberate disregard) for danger separate Pilots from those who simply steer a vehicle. Split-second decisions at high velocity or in the heat of battle demand utmost focus and enable them to turn the tide of conflict even in its darkest hour. They are hellbent on tapping the full potential of their machines, almost treating it like an extension of their own body – a relationship incomprehensible to the uninitiated. Nonetheless, this special bond tends to make talented tinkerers out of quite a few Pilots.

Sorcerers subdue enemies without armor, sword or shield, enforcing their victory by casting secret spells that most could not even comprehend when witnessing them first-hand. That does not necessarily mean that Sorcerers fully grasp the origins of their capabilities themselves, since the magical connection to the countless things can hardly ever be acquired by choice – it is the power that possesses the Sorcerer, gained by heritage or natural talent. Those mages cloud their craft in secrecy, sharing their knowledge only with a few chosen confidants at best. Common people tend to mistrust them for the simple reason that one can never know which powers lie beneath: As masters of manipulation, Sorcerers are infamous for acting as puppeteers and twisting the fabric of reality.

Unfortunate are those that find themselves on the receiving end of a swung hammer, a thrusted dagger or an adamant projectile. Still, Spellblades seem to be rather safe than sorry: They will not rely on the customary function of their weapon alone, thus imbuing their axe with crackling lightning or wielding flaming swords to set the battlefield ablaze. Practiced Spellblades combine magic and martial prowess in a manner reserved to a gifted few. Not all of them owe their might to enchantments or the channeling of inherent abilities, though: Those eager or lucky enough get a hold of unique weaponry, for the longest time thought to be nothing but myth – blessed by deities, enhanced by spells or empowered by unknown forces.

A Warlock is not one, but truly two: They receive their power from ghostly spirits and demons – quite often paying a high price for this symbiosis, should they be unable to tame and control the geist. As vessels for supernatural entities of darkness and doom, they are all too willingly overwhelmed from within, borrowing superior strength or magic skills to dominate their foes in combat. In spite of their inner strife, Warlocks mostly see their otherworldly guests as friends or thralls and manage to develop a deep connection to those who possess their souls. On rare occasions, they do not even know about the hidden soul in their chest, acting unconsciously while the geist takes over.